Originally Posted by TwitchKitty

Granted this is a high mileage unit but I have always preferred to rebuild my own. You never know where a rebuild has been. This sounds like the brushes are worn to the point that there is insufficient spring tension to contact the rotor. New brush holder, bearings/bushings and drive and it is a proven reliable unit with new parts.

The lights dim thing is not clear to me though. That may sway me.

Note that I have not been into a MB starter yet, could be a different story.